When my friends first told me about the new MTV show "WildBoyz," the first thing I thought was, "Y'know, that sounds prettygay." (It reminded me of the novel of the same title by William S.Burroughs, the gay, junky author of Naked Lunch.)
After we watched the show my suspicions were confirmed. It'skind of a cross between "Jackass" and "The Crocodile Hunter." Thetwo stars hang out in the wilderness and do stupid, dangerous,painful things. During the episode, the stars wear loincloths andsleep together in the same sleeping bag. In one stunt, Steve-Oshoved a fish up his butt. The "finale" was when he wrapped somestring around his clothed genitals to do some "penis fishing."
And this is what straight, macho college guys love to watch.
This kind of subtle homoeroticism can be found in other parts ofmale culture. Take "Fight Club." Edward Norton rejects arelationship with super sexy Helena Bonham-Carter so he can go livewith Brad Pitt. And just look at the fights -- sweaty, half-nakedmen rolling around on the floor pounding one another. Come on, thefilm starts with Pitt holding his gun in Norton's mouth.
Jay and Silent Bob in Kevin Smith's movies ("Clerks," "Dogma,"etc.) are just way too obvious. While being strongly heterosexual,both are continually flirting and joking. "Chasing Amy," Smith'sbest, addresses this issue of heterosexual male homoeroticismdirectly.
I just find it incredibly fascinating that so many straightmales make so many joking gay advances and references to gay sex.If they claim to be 100 percent heterosexual, why is it on theirminds so much?
For a long time I've found much truth in the statement that"Half of what you say when you're joking you're serious about." Forexample, when a female friend is complaining to me about hernegligent boyfriend, I've been known to joke, "Well, watch outbecause I might just have to seduce you and show you someonethat'll really appreciate how wonderful you are." Of course I'dnever do that in real life, but still, that's the fantasy. (Well, Iprobably wouldn't do it.)
Sex is so messy. It would be nice to easily lump people into thedistinct categories of straight, gay, and bi. And for some people,you can. I know plenty of guys who don't feel compelled tocontinually subconsciously flirt with me. We're all wired a bitdifferently. All straight, gay, and bi mean is "this is the label Ichoose for the convenience of myself and others. It's not anall-encompassing description of my sexuality."
Then again, I could be wrong. Maybe jokes are just jokes andthere's no hidden, deeper meaning behind why we make them. I'm surethat's what plenty of guys out there would just love to think.
Or maybe they'd rather just turn it all around on me. "Well,this loser's obviously struggling with his sexuality." Typicalresponse. Don't like the telegram, shoot the messenger. Right, likeI'd draw this kind of attention to myself if I had anything tohide.
It's always easier to deny difficult parts of ourselves than totry to comprehend them. It is vital, though, that we seek tounderstand that which is hidden in ourselves and our culture.
Write to David at swimminginbrokenglass@yahoo.com
visit http://www.bsu.edu/web/dmswindle
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